Workers’ Compensation Cases with Falls

Workers’ Compensation Cases with Falls and Overexertion are the Most Expensive

Those workers’ compensation cases that involve falls and overexertion are awarded nearly $25 billion every year. These types of injuries in the workplace are in the top ten sources of serious but nonfatal on the job injuries according to the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since 2014, these ranked in the top 10 for a total of 15 years straight. Considering the number of people in the today’s workforce, there is an enormous number of employees who due to falls and overexertion are injured in their line of work.

The good news is that these injuries can be prevented in some cases. Of the injuries, some could be because of the negligence of the employer or the worker’s part. Despite how an injury may occur, no particular party has to be at fault for benefits to be collected by the employee. It is typical in workers’ compensation costs that people with on the job injuries are usually out six days or more while recovering based on how bad the injuries appear to be.

Different On the Job Injuries Average with their Annual Costs

Over one-fourth of employees that have injuries is because of overexertion, according to recent statistics. Nearly $15 billion are spent on such workers’ compensation cases on average every year that are linked with the employee being overexerted. From injuries of those falling at the same level (those that didn’t fall from a higher platform such as a ladder, stairs or alternate level) add up to almost 15 percent of workers’ compensation cases. The annual payout on cases like this is an expected $9 billion every year in laborers’ pay claims. On the other hand, falls to a lower level equate to nearly 9 percent of on the job injuries, and over $5 billion are spent on these claims. Alternatively, statistics shows that nearly 8 percent of these types of cases are being struck by equipment where over $5 billion is spent according to annual statistics.

Other top-ten workers’ compensation claims injuries consist of employees slipping or tripping (but not falling), accidents involving motorized vehicles, repetitive movement from work tasks, being struck by an object, and employees finding themselves trapped in or by equipment or objects.

Every year the types of workplace injuries are abundant, and yet it does not mean that one type of job is more dangerous albeit some may be hazardous in their nature. The fact is that injuries do occur and can be the outcome with an employee being hurt. Because of these types of injuries, employers offer workers’ compensation benefits to aid in medical bills and lost income when these types of accidents happen, and a claim can be filed.

Overexertion Injuries that Happen On the Job

Of all the workplace related injuries, we find that overexertion is at the top of the list. Employee injuries like these can be as a result of many types of movements performed at work. From tasks like holding, pulling, carrying, pushing, lifting, or throwing can be part of their tasks of their job. Alternatively there can be exertions such as kneeling, sitting, climbing, standing, reaching, crawling, bending, or twisting that can be equated to overexertion. This simple motion, when completed again and again, can ultimately become an issue in regards to the employee’s body motion. In the state of Georgia, hundreds of workers report such injuries each year. Of these tasks, the most prevalent are because of carrying, holding and lifting based on the tasks of the employee’s job.

On the Job Falls

Falls that happen on the job are the second most expensive injuries in the work environment. Statistics shows that falls due to slipping and falling because of snow and ice are the most common workers’ compensation cases. This, of course, is based on where the employee lives as it determines the likelihood of such a fall occurring. Most of these types of claims are in the Midwest region where the conditions are more favorable to this injury. Nonetheless, falls as a result of wet floors or holes are also abundant when an employee is found to have had a fall.

Death in the Workplace

Many fatalities in the work environment are resulting from an accident in regards to roadway construction and road work-related jobs. Those whose occupations require them to walk on the roads are at high risk and are in the top listings of work-related deaths. While these occupational hazards are found among road constructions they can also be found with tractor trailer truck drivers, employees who do highway maintenance as well as equipment operators in these environments. It is also found that a high amount of deaths occurs in engineering construction areas.

Even though we see these types of fatalities in work-related deaths decrease during recent years, there are still too many. The value of losing a loved one’s life cannot have a value placed on it despite the benefits that workers’ compensation is distributed to listed dependents.

Workers’ Compensation claims can be obtained by all employees who have encountered on the job injuries. Knowing that these injuries can occur, it is some peace of mind that there are compensation and protection under the Georgia state laws. An experienced attorney can help iron out details for an employee in regards to of workers’ compensation claims. Finding an attorney who knows about these claims is important so that all rights are protected.